Manufacturer's Fact Sheet

Information by State  Print version

Description of Program

The Manufactured Housing Program is a consumer protection program that regulates the construction of certain factory built housing units, called manufactured homes, formerly known as mobile homes. The HUD program also oversees the enforcement of the construction standards through third party inspection agencies and State governments.

HUD Manufacted Home Construction and Safety Standards

Manufactured homes are built as dwelling units of at least 320 square feet in size with a permanent chassis to assure the initial and continued transportability of the home. All transportable sections of manufactured homes built in the U.S. after June 15, 1976 must contain a red label on the home; the label is the manufacturer's certification that the home section is built in accordance with HUD's construction and safety standards.

Enforcement of the HUD Standards

Certain HUD approved States and private third party agencies inspect the homes at one stage of production and approve the manufacturers designs as consistent with the HUD standards. Manufacturers contract directly with the State or local third party and pay for the design review and home inspection services. A list of the State governments and HUDapproved third party inspection agencies is attached to this Fact Sheet. Manufactured home retailers also have certain responsibilities to assure that only homes meeting the standards are sold to the general public.

Program Enforcement

HUD has entered into cooperative agreements with 38 State governments to conduct periodic checks of plant records and to respond to consumer complaints. These State governments each designate a State Administrative Agency (SAA). HUD staff carry out these functions in the other 12 States without SAAs.

Program Management

HUD manages the program from its Headquarters in Washington, DC. The program's office telephone number is (202) 708-6423; fax number (202) 708-4213.

The mailing address is:

Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Regulatory Affairs and Manufactured Housing
Office of Manufactured Housing Programs
451 7th St. SW, Room 9164
Washington, D.C. 20410-8000

HUD also uses a monitoring contractor, to conduct monitoring reviews of third parties, issue certification labels to manufacturers, and perform record reviews in non-SAA states.

Other Related HUD Program Information

Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, 24 CFR 3280. Available in print free of charge from the HUD Customer Service Center at (800) 767-7468 or fax (202) 708-2313.

• List of State government and third party approved Inspection Agencies Manufactured Home Procedural and Enforcement Regulations, 24 CFR 3282. Available in print free of charge from the HUD Customer Service Center at (800) 767-7468 or fax (202) 708-2313.
• Fact Sheet For Consumers - Manufactured Housing Program
• List of State Administrative Agencies
• Retailer Responsibilities Under the Manufactured Housing Program

Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing. issued September 1996. Available as software or in print from HUDuser.

Points of Contact for Questions and Additional Information

HUD standards, technical inspection or design issues, contact Rick Mendlen by email or at (202) 708-6423.

Consumer complaints or State Administrative Agencies, contact Patricia A. McDuffie, Lane Pethel, or Angelo Wallace by email or at (202) 708-6423.